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Rumor: iPod classic to get a camera too

We're still thinking "WTF?" but the latest info out of China suggests that all …

It's not a surprise to hear that OmniVision, which provides Apple with the 3.2MP camera module for the iPhone 3GS, will most likely be supplying Apple with camera modules for some future iPod models. What we are finding hard to swallow, though, is the rumor that Apple's iPod classic will also be getting a built-in camera with the expected refresh next month.

The latest report from Taiwan-based DigiTimes suggests that is the case, however. "OmniVision will be the sole supplier of 3.2-megapixel [CMOS image sensor] products for new iPod nano, iPod classic and iPod Touch models which will be launched in September," sources for DigiTimes said.

Rumors that Apple would be adding a camera to the iPod touch have been around for some time, and rumors have also persisted that the company would add one to its tiny iPod nano. We're unable to understand the logic of adding one to the iPod classic, though. The only people buying a classic these days are those who want to haul around all of their music collection, or maybe even some people that use it to carry several movies for playback on a friend's TV. The classic has already been reduced down to just one model when the new iPod shuffles were announced, and honestly, we wouldn't be entirely surprised to see Apple put it out to pasture sooner than later. (If it lives beyond 2010, we'll start calling it the iPod boondoggle.)

The annual September event when Apple typically unveils its latest iPods will happen shortly, with most rumors pegging it for Wednesday, September 9. We expect to see a camera in the new iPod touch—all the new imaging features of iPhone OS 3.0 scream for it—and we won't be surprised to see it in the iPod nano. We think the chance that Apple would stuff a camera into an iPod classic lies somewhere between The Beatles catalog coming to iTunes and hell freezing over—and we're leaning towards the latter happening first.

I would think flash or SSD technology is at the point where the Classic could be reved into a solid state iPod with similar capacity to the hard drive version. That would allow Apple to modernize the line without alienating the customers who continue to like it.

However, if the Touch is given high enough capacity the Classic seems somewhat redundant. At that point its only distinguishing factor will be the non-touch screen controls.

Originally posted by fletc3her:I would think flash or SSD technology is at the point where the Classic could be reved into a solid state iPod with similar capacity to the hard drive version. That would allow Apple to modernize the line without alienating the customers who continue to like it.

However, if the Touch is given high enough capacity the Classic seems somewhat redundant. At that point its only distinguishing factor will be the non-touch screen controls.

Flash is still a lot more expensive per GB. We might see a 64GB touch launched next month, but that's still only half the capacity of the classic and probably almost twice the price (guessing a $400 price vs $250 for the classic.)

The Classic is obviously on the way out. First of all, they already pared it down from two models to one, and second of all, it's called "classic". It's obviously on the way out.

The only thing it has going for it is capacity - the Nano has all the same features in a smaller package otherwise. And it clearly doesn't approach the Touch in terms of coolness factor.

If they don't drop it this year then they most definitely will next year, as by that point the capacity of the highest-end Touch will probably rival it, making it unnecessary. Frankly, though, I'd be surprised if it sticks around after next month's event.

I wonder if Apple will update the Classic with one of those 1.8" 250GB Toshiba HDDs this September? It's going to be a while before NAND is cheap enough to kill off the iPod Classic entirely. I reckon it won't be until late 2011-2012 that we see a 256GB iPhone/iPod Touch.

All I can think of is with the hard drive (if they keep it) the iPod classic would make a GREAT HD video recorder. You would gets lots of recording time on it for sure. With the sort of lens add-ons I have seen for the iPhone it would make a really nice recorder.

I think it would be short-sighted of Apple to discontinue the Classic. In my store, it's clearly not a very popular model, but there's still a lot of people who have a music collection of 100GB+, and I don't see Apple loading a Touch with that much memory any time soon. They make a pretty decent profit on the things too. So even if they don't sell too many of them, it seems like a pretty decent niche item for those people with a LOT of music or videos that they like to carry around.

But even without that, I don't think it's hard to understand why Apple would add a camera to the Classic. It fits in with Apple's usual strategy to upgrade products while keeping the price constant. In the case of the Classic, they seem to have leveled off the capacity (given that at one point you could get an 80GB or 160GB Classic, and later released a single 120GB model).

So adding a camera is one way that they can upgrade the device, while maintaining the price point.

My current iPod is starting give out on me, and I want to go to a Touch, but simply can't justify the cost for a 32GB (I'm sitting at about 22GB used on my 5G iPod). My next option is obviously the Classic, since there is no way I'm constantly porting my music back and forth. There are many days where I'll be listening to some Savatage and want to switch to my John Williams collection, and then maybe to Relient K later.

As for the camera rumor...not so believable. Possible, but not believable.

Originally posted by maxairmike:My current iPod is starting give out on me, and I want to go to a Touch, but simply can't justify the cost for a 32GB (I'm sitting at about 22GB used on my 5G iPod). My next option is obviously the Classic, since there is no way I'm constantly porting my music back and forth. There are many days where I'll be listening to some Savatage and want to switch to my John Williams collection, and then maybe to Relient K later.

As for the camera rumor...not so believable. Possible, but not believable.

Am I the only one who just cannot get on with the touchscreen models when i'm in the gym? Seriously, I love my iPhone and its great for entertainment sitting down on the train but when I am in the gym, nothing works better than a scroll wheel.

You can take your fancy voice activated 'play more music like this', your whizzy coverflow, and bugger off! You can prize my iPod nano 2G from my cold, dead hands

DanSimmonds: I agree about the disadvantages of the touchscreen controls in the car as well. It's nice to be able to just feel the device to change songs, play/pause, etc. without taking my eyes off the road.

Originally posted by ersatzplanet:All I can think of is with the hard drive (if they keep it) the iPod classic would make a GREAT HD video recorder...

Great thinking.

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I've been wanting this for some time now. My only real objecting to the Touch is the storage capacity. I have an older 60g iPod that I still carry with me, and it's almost always full. So in looking for a replacement (this thing is showing its age), I may just go with the following equation:

Originally posted by DanSimmonds:Am I the only one who just cannot get on with the touchscreen models when i'm in the gym? Seriously, I love my iPhone and its great for entertainment sitting down on the train but when I am in the gym, nothing works better than a scroll wheel.

You can take your fancy voice activated 'play more music like this', your whizzy coverflow, and bugger off! You can prize my iPod nano 2G from my cold, dead hands

Agreed. I just retired my 60GB iPod Photo (sold it) and got a refurbed 160GB iPod Classic for the same price as a new 120GB Classic. I tried using the iPhone, but the touch screen is just too much of a pain in the gym. It's a good backup in case I forget my Classic, or forget to charge it. I've got 80.5 GB Used, 68.3 GB Free on it, and much more music to rip.

A camera in the iPod Classic is an idiotic idea. I can see one in the iPod touch, since it's such a multi-function device.

I have a 32GB iPod touch and don't bother with music on it because the battery life is so poor. Having my contacts, calendar, OmniFocus and email available is much more important than music. So, I use my old iPod for music. Thankfully, they use the same cable so it's one less wire to lug round.

Just slap one of those 240GB drives into the new Classic, I'll retire my 80GB (or make it my OperaPod) and be happy.